Boundaries expansion and socioeconomical impacts in the “cerrado” of Mato Grosso

Abstract

The social, economics and environmental situation of the Cerrado reflects a process that is been driven since the last decades. The Mato Grosso state, like all the middle-west of Brazil, has suffered the political action seeking the development during the decades from 1940 to 1950 and the politics of national integration during 1970. This occupational process was characterized by moments like the occupation of space (Expansion Frontier), the growing of the capitalistic relations (Pioneer Frontier) and the installation of the modern cattle rising technology (Agricultural Frontier). The occupation of Mato Grosso was from the southern to the northern part of the state, and the north, north-east and south-east middle-regions show that this occupation could overlap. With the Cerrado’s modernization, a new profile to use the soil was initiated, with high productivity of cattle and expressive development of the agriculture basically with soy and cotton. The lands turned to be a limited resource in Mato Grosso and are disputed by small and big farmers. In fact, the farming and cattle rising of the state has been outstanding in the last years, but still remain environmental and social problems. Key-words: Expansion Frontier; Agricultural Frontir; land use; Cerrado and Mato Grosso.